Manipur: State's tough posture on text books rule

[Harold F. Schiffman]

State's tough posture on text books rule
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, Aug 05: All educational institutions recognised by the State
Government would be derecognised if these institutes get themselves
affiliated to educational boards other than BSEM and COHSEM. Moreover,
certificates issued by such institutes will not be honoured by the State
Government. An official source informed The Sangai Express that decision
to this effect was adopted by the State Government considering the
campaign by some people to adopt text books prescribed by NBSE in private
schools of the four hill districts of Manipur.

Further, the State Government would not recognise equivalency of the pass
certificates issued by schools affiliated to other boards other than CBSE
or BSEM, informed the source. The State Government has made all
arrangements to enforce the decision once the Union Human Resource
Development Ministry permits NBSE to cross its jurisdiction beyond
Nagaland, it stated.

It is reported that Education Minister L Nandakumar would submit a
presentation to the Human Resource Development Minister Arjun Singh when
they meet on August 7 at New Delhi detailing position of the State Govt to
de-recognise schools affiliated to NBSE and to cancel equivalency of
certificates issued by NBSE. The Education Minister would be accompanied
by Education Commissioner RK Angousana when he call on the HRD Minister
and they would give detailed clarification of the points being pursued by
different Naga bodies to the Union HRD Ministry.

Noting that Manipur has been following the National Education Policy's
three formula of Hindi, Regional language and Mother languages. According
to the policy, one can learn the language of his/her choice. Moreover 10
tribal dialects are being taught in the schools recognised by the State
and there is no question of imposition of any language. The Minister would
informed the HRD Minister that the students are allowed to opt for the
languages of their own choice, mentioned the official.

On the other hand, if any school of Manipur get affiliated to other
educational boards in place of BSEM or COHSEM, the text books and syllabi
of the outside board would be imposed upon the school and there would be
no provision of learning local dialects or languages, it mentioned adding
that the Minister would apprise of this matter too with HRD Minister. To a
question, the official informed that till date no school following NBSE
text books have been de-recognised but the State Government has been
looking into the matter.

Further, Chairmen of BSEM and COHSEM would attend the meeting of the
representatives of COBSE on August 9 at New Delhi along with Union
Education Secretary. The main agenda of the meeting with the Union
Education Secretary would be National Curriculum Framework and
non-intrusion into jurisdictions of State educational boards, added the
source.

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